hollywood billionaire

Chapter 414: Hip-Hop Spectacular (Part )

Rap music has never lacked excellent creators, whether it is Boi-1da or Araab Muzik, their beats are full of creative ideas. However, in this extremely competitive game, only a few people are qualified to call themselves super producers.

On the Detroit radio show Mojo in the Morning, Timbaland elaborated on his criteria, saying, "The only super producers are Dr. Dre, me, Pharrell, Kanye, and Swizz... The reason I say that is because it's not just about making beats. It's more about 'Are you shaking up the foundation of hip-hop culture and changing the way hip-hop is.' You know, that's very different from just making beats, because anybody can make a hit single."

Dr. Dre, who was put first by Timbaland, is undoubtedly a person who changed the style of hip-hop music and changed the entire culture. As Timbaland said, many people can make good accompaniments, but Dr. Dre's level is only dreamed of by a few producers. He is revered as the pioneer and leader of G-funk. Although hip-hop has always sampled funk, the heights reached by Los Angeles are unmatched by any previous genre.

The funk music that emerged in New York in the late 1970s and early 1980s had one and only one goal, which was to make the audience dance on the streets at any time. Therefore, the chords of funk music itself are full of positive communication, the rhythm is cheerful and jumping, and the rhythm is full of the vitality of the black community.

Of course, the black communities here refer to Brooklyn, Queens, Harlem, and the Bronx in New York. These African American communities bear a strong imprint of the New York metropolis, and even the most chaotic and disorderly neighborhoods are part of the urban fabric of this busy world capital. In other words, even the most idle and unemployed people will speed up their pace in New York. This feature is also vividly demonstrated in funk music. 114 BPM is called the most suitable speed for funk music, which is obviously much faster than the 50-80 BPM rhythm of the lyrical style that was also popular in the s and s.

G-Funk is the opposite. As a derivative of funk music on the West Coast, its rhythm is much slower and the overall feeling is much more leisurely. From an acoustic point of view, it is more relaxing and lazy, because the purpose of making G-Funk is not to make people dance, but to find suitable background music for the relatively static interior space of the car.

Everyone knows that cars are the most deeply rooted and indelible part of the urban scene on the West Coast, especially in Los Angeles. In this giant city that is spread out like a pancake, it is difficult to move without a car. Gang members can live without guns for self-defense, but they must have cars for transportation. Therefore, countless car-related secondary cultures have been bred in the black community in Los Angeles. Driving carefully modified low-floor cars and swaggering through the streets of the slums has become the main means for all gangs to show off their wealth and status.

The inspiration and initial target group of G-Funk music produced by Dr. Dre were these young African-Americans from the lower classes who lived and prospered with their beloved cars and wrote their honor with speed, gunpowder and blood.

Dr. Dre's debut album, The Chronic, released at the end of 1992, is undoubtedly a classic, legendary, and timeless. Its release was the most memorable moment of the s, a moment that redefined West Coast rap. That year, Dr. Dre was the most successful producer in hip-hop music, a pioneer comparable to Quincy Jones and Phil Spector; but he was also the most difficult producer to find a job in hip-hop music. Plagued by legal disputes and a large number of unresolved cases, no one was willing to work with him.

Between 1987 and 1991, Dr. Dre produced five platinum albums out of eight for Ruthless, but he had a violent temper and was prone to all kinds of violence—reporter Dee Barnes accused him of public brutality, the LAPD accused him of assaulting a police officer during a brawl, and so on. In addition, neither he nor his then-business partner, Suger, had much business sense, and Death Row Records was continuing to record huge losses due to their poor management.

Under such circumstances, this young label urgently needs a brilliant victory to consolidate its territory.

"The Chronic", which Dr. Dre spent two months to create, was a hearty, landmark release.

It emerged from the midst of danger and turned the tide.

"One, two, three, and then four,

Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre were waiting at the door.

Prepare to make a grand entrance, so get ready quickly.
Because we are about to kill a lot in this circle."

A cloud of smoke rose up, and 2Pac, standing proudly with his arms folded across his chest, gradually turned into a light spot and drifted away in the wind, while another equally tall figure appeared in front of the audience at the same position with the spotlight re-lit. He was wearing a dark purple, retro Los Angeles gangster-style Lakers oversized hoodie, as if he had walked directly out of everyone's memory of the 90s.

Snoop Dogg has perhaps the most recognizable voice in hip-hop history. His leisurely, silky baritone is full of magnetism, with an effortlessly lazy West Coast accent. There is a kind of "stretching feeling" that is difficult to describe in words, but as long as you have listened to his music, you will understand what it means.

It is the superb perception of rhythm and tempo that is deeply rooted in the blood of African Americans. It is the calmness and composure that has been tempered by generations of people who have experienced the unimaginable blood and gore of mainstream society, and is passed down from their genes.

This is why Dog Ye is so popular. No matter how serious the topic he talks about or how bloody the lyrics he sings, he always conveys a sense of comfort and contentment that makes people feel happy. Such temperament is perfectly in line with the West Coast G-Funk style that he strives to promote.

“Give me the mic first, let me burst the bubbles and blow up the crowd.

When Compton and Long Beach stand together, you know you're in trouble.

It's all about the gang, baby.

Two lawless brothers, madness is our byword.”

If Snoop Dogg's rap style must be compared to something, then "talk show" will be the first word that comes to the mind of many music fans. However, the talk show mentioned here is not like Dave Chappelle's Netflix comedy special, but more like your rare handsome uncle at the Thanksgiving dinner table, making the whole family laugh with witty remarks.

Yes, Snoop Dogg, shaking his head, seemed to be chatting with the audience, controlling the rhythm of the scene in the most nonchalant way. His rhythm selection made him sound like he was "floating" above the music instead of "attacking" aggressively, which was in stark contrast to Dr. Dre who was on the same stage.

This song "Nuthin' but a G Thang" is the first promotional single of "The Chronic". It is also the one with the best commercial performance, the widest social impact and the deepest cultural imprint in the whole album. It rushed to the second place of the Billboard Singles Chart as soon as it was released. In 1993, which was dominated by Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey, it brought a new wind of G-Funk.

"Death Row is the label that pays me.
No one can suppress us, so don't try to make us disappear.

Enough of small talk, let's get back to the point.
I am a genius who makes perfection even more perfect,

This is a fact I want everyone to know.

Measuring the future from the perspective of a young leader,

I love and am wary of any bitch..."

In 2016, Snoop was nearly 1992 years old, while in , Snoop was just old enough to legally drink. Although age cannot constrain or define a frivolous musician, after all, Snoop has been hanging out on the streets since sixth grade and joined the Crips branch in the East District of Long Beach. Finding alcohol is sometimes easier for him than finding his way home, but the scale of the physical realm can still affect the breadth of his spiritual world.

Snoop Dogg's songs in the early 2s were still based on gangster rap, and still centered around parties, women, and his favorite green plants. If Pac's Los Angeles is a heavy magical realism like Marquez, and Dr. Dre's Los Angeles is a slightly exaggerated crime drama like "CSI", then the Los Angeles depicted by Dogg is an action comedy like "Beverly Hills Cop".

There is violence and blood, but they are all wrapped in sugar and hidden under a humorous shell in a more attractive way.

This is also the core reason why Snoop Dogg has survived several waves of the times and even become more and more popular with the passage of time.

To make an inappropriate analogy, Snoop Dogg is the Jackie Chan of the rap world. From personal style to the positioning of their works, there are many similarities.

"You never know if they will get your love.

I know you like the back of my hand, and then I push you into the abyss.

You know, there's no way I'm going to fall for it like that.

No kitten is so hot that it makes me lose my mind.

This truth is truer than Holyfield, who is called the truth.
Now you bitches should understand your own identity, right?

However, if you are really tempting to a certain extent,
I wouldn’t mind just taking a small spoonful of the cake in front of me…”

There are many people who don't like hip-hop music, but there are very few people who haven't heard "Nuthin' but a G Thang" in the Las Vegas festival venue. In such a fanatical atmosphere, few sober souls can remain uninfected. Snoop Dogg's voice echoed throughout the venue, and every word of his lyrics was picked up and sung back by the audience. The audience's chorus was like waves hitting the shore, and the tidal rhythm tightly surrounded the entire venue.

"It's like this and like that and like this and...

It's like this and like that and like this and..."

As the chorus sounded, Las Vegas, a city that never sleeps, was instantly enveloped by screams. What they were cheering for was, of course, not this simple hook, but the lead melody produced by Dr. Dre.

It is one of the most classic G-Funk melodies in history, like the waves of Venice Beach in the afternoon, relaxed and refreshing. It is mainly synthesizer-driven, using a "looping synth pad" similar to the sound of a curved electric piano, and enhancing the immersion of the music through repeated chord progressions. The synthesizer sound is filled with delay and reverb effects, creating a sense of space and psychedelic feeling.

In terms of rhythm, the chorus uses a steady 4/4 drum beat, with an "echo effect" bass drum and a slightly funny hi-hat, forming a stable beat with a distinct funk style. This rhythm, combined with the synthesizer melody and the low bassline, creates a rhythmic atmosphere, making the chorus highly infectious while also bringing an extremely relaxing musical experience to the audience.

The success of "The Chronic" is built on unique immersive experiences time and time again.

This album brings the warm and gentle sea breeze of the West Coast to music fans from all over the world.

"Don't be surprised, I'm living a life of debauchery and sex.

I almost got arrested because my pager kept going off.

Now it's time for me to introduce myself.
Relax, sit back, and buckle up. You've never felt anything like it.
I never imagined that you could see an all-round producer who could control the overall situation and also sing. "

Smiling at his younger brother Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre grabbed the microphone and began his part. Even his most ardent fans have to admit that Dr. Dre has never been a good songwriter, let alone a top rapper. During the NWA period, he was the behind-the-scenes hero behind Eazy-E, Ice Cube and MC Ren, and a skilled music director. But as the members turned against each other and the group fell apart, Dr. Dre found himself in a desperate situation.

He’s still a great hip-hop director, but he’s become one with no actors to work with.

Throughout 1992, Dr. Dre didn't make a penny, his bank account was dry, and he had nowhere to go. He had no choice but to step on the stage and direct, write, and act in his own film, just like Woody Allen. Thus, a great work like Manhattan came into being.

By 2016, people no longer criticize Dr. Dre for his rapping skills and live performances, which have not improved to this day. They just feel lucky that they have lived long enough to hear Dr. Dre's original performance of "Nuthin' but a G Thang" on stage again. This song is a representative of the epoch-making G-Funk style, with a lot of P-Funk bass elements, high-pitched synth slides and atmospheric guitar chords.

Thirty years later, the song remains one of the most popular songs in hip-hop.

"It's like this and like that and like this and...

It's like this and like that and like this and...

It's like this, and who gives a fuck about those?

So just chill 'til the next episode. "

The lighthearted and humorous synthesizer music of the hook section sounded again, and the crowd had gradually calmed down from the initial excitement and restlessness - this is the healing effect that G-Funk hopes to bring to people. The layers of waves evoked by the music gently lapped, and the audience's emotions slowly settled down, and began to sway their bodies to the lazy 95BPM rhythm of "Nuthin' but a G Thang" that is extremely suitable for sex and green plant intake.

At this moment, the Las Vegas festival venue seemed to be covered by a purple rose dream filter that is unique to Los Angeles. The matrix composed of thousands of stage lights formed a sparkling sea above the audience's heads, making people feel as if they were in the world of "Grand Theft Auto", which was both magical and extremely real.

G-Funk is the rap music genre that absolutely dominates the Grand Theft Auto series of games.

"Snoop Doggy, Do-oww-ohhhh-oggg (the bomb),

Snoop Doggy, Do-oww-ohhhh-oggg (Dog)…”

Perhaps it was because the rhythm and melody of each G-Funk song were too similar, or perhaps it was because Dr. Dre's productions always had a sense of harmony. Most of the fans on the dance floor were surprised to find that the era of "The Chronic" had come to an end only after the prelude of the next song had played for more than ten seconds. What followed was the classic "Doggystyle" by Doggystyle, which was released on Thanksgiving Eve in 1993.

Snoop Dogg, who has attracted much attention in the music industry, sang almost from beginning to end in "The Chronic". He showed extremely high creative efficiency. In less than half a year, he completed a studio album consisting of 19 singles. It is more like a sequel to "The Chronic" than a personal album of Snoop Dogg. It is still completed by Dog and Dre, but in "Doggystyle", both of them have found a more suitable position for them.

Dr. Dre continued to retreat behind the scenes and be a good hip-hop director, while Snoop Dogg was further pushed to the front and became the only star on the vocal line. The two people with clear division of labor presented a historic and wonderful performance for the music scene. Almost all music critics gave "Doggystyle" a high evaluation close to full marks.

“Doggystyle lives up to its high expectations with its masterful use of words and sounds. The album is like an uninterrupted, 55-minute conversation that could bring anyone back from the brink of depression.”

"Doggystyle and The Chronic are definitely the twin peaks of early 90s West Coast G-funk hip-hop."

"Snoop Dogg has reached the top effortlessly."

“If ‘Murder Was The Case’ was a near-genius, then ‘Lodi Dodi’ is an example of absolute genius.”

In most cases, these critics are harsh and inhumane, because they need exaggerated negative reviews to attract attention and make a name for themselves. However, in front of "Doggystyle", they are collectively speechless, and the mere action of applause is enough to illustrate the excellence and greatness of this album.

“As usual, we have to talk about gang rules.

Say it out loud, what is my name?
Snoop Doggy, Do-owww-ohhhh-oggg…”

“Driving down the street, blowing grass, taking a leisurely sip of gin with juice.

Lean back, relax, all you think about is money, and money is all you think about..."

“La di da di, we just love to be together.

Don't cause trouble and never make enemies.

We are just a bunch of brothers holding the microphone tightly..."

Snoop Dogg stood in front of the stage, using his classic songs and consistent style to push the audience's emotions to a climax. The familiar melody sounded, and every note of Snoop Dogg guided the audience's emotions, like a witness of time, flowing in the hearts of every music fan. On the other side of the stage, Dr. Dre stood in front of the newly raised DJ stand, smiling and playing accompaniment for his little brother.

Unlike 2Pac's holographic projection performance, the main stage at this moment is a complete real scene that has been carefully constructed over the past week. It is also at this moment that this world that has consumed countless efforts of Ess Devlin truly shows her charm.

On both sides of the street are low-rise brick buildings with a typical Southern California style. The walls are covered with graffiti, colorful and full of street art, with cartoon words such as "G-Funk", "West Coast", "Dr. Dre", and various graffiti art popular in the 1990s.

Nothing could capture the American society of the 1990s more faithfully than cassettes, boomboxes, and the slogan "knowledge is power."

Standing in the VIP area on higher ground, Han Yi and his guests could also see the simulated concrete paved on the stage floor, which was deliberately left with some damaged marks and cracks to simulate the real streets of Los Angeles. The white parking lot lines, randomly parked classic low-floor car models, and old street billboards and signs with words such as "Liquor Store" and "Pawn Shop" made people feel like they were in a real Compton community.

Not only that, the director team also prepared hundreds of extras for this West Coast hip-hop feast - some of them are the artists' entourage, some are paid dancers invited by Han on the spot, and some are simply backstage employees who have completed their work tasks... No matter what their identities are in the real world, they have only one identity standing on this real stage, that is, native residents of Compton.

Some actors played street performers, playing street music with simple instruments, others played vendors, selling hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks. Some actors played street basketball enthusiasts, simulating the movements of playing basketball, and from time to time there were bursts of enthusiastic cheers and the sound of the ball hitting the ground.

On one side of the stage, some actors dressed up as typical gang members, wearing gang-inspired costumes and holding simulated weapons to enhance the dramatic effect of the scene. Some of these actors strolled around the block, while others performed simulated confrontations with other gang members, with exaggerated dance moves like those in West Side Story, creating a tense but dramatic atmosphere.

Mad City Music Festival has been going on for two full days, but it is only now that people have fully appreciated the true and complete charm of this stage.

It is not only a venue for music performances, but also a historical and cultural museum with profound heritage and full of vitality.

At the center of this vibrant scene stood Compton’s cultural icons, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. Like stars and gods, they led the 75,000 audience members to recite the classic lyrics that have long been engraved in the Music Hall of Fame, just like a missionary ceremony that was extremely joyful but also extremely solemn.

On this still hot night in late autumn in Las Vegas, Hip-Hop is everyone's belief.

All faiths need a perfect origin story. In this story, there is the founding God, the pioneering apostles, and even more importantly, the Messiah who saves the world.

In the landscape of West Coast hip-hop, NWA, 2 Pac and Dr. Dre created this world, and Snoop Dogg took over the mantle and continued to move forward with the spirit of G-Funk.

And the Messiah who rebuilt the collapsed temple with unprecedented miracles in the last days of the Dharma Ending Age...

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, get ready to welcome rap's greatest lyricist!"

At the end of "Lodi Dodi", Snoop Dogg adjusted his earphones and introduced the next heavyweight guest on stage with the most upbeat emotion of the entire performance, just as Dr. Dre did to him.

"Put your hands together and welcome his coming!"

"The one!"

"The only!"

"Slim Shady!"

(End of this chapter)